Title is a song 'Haan tu hai' from movie 'Jannat'

Naina was working on a report when her phone indicated a message. She gave a glance to the name of the sender, having no intention of interrupting her work.

Sameer.

Quickly, she opened it.

Tumhara lunch kab khatam hoga

She typed back, 'Lunch toh kabka ho gaya. Main Rathore Enterprises ki report bana rahi hun.'

His reply came instantly, 'Report baad mein. Pehle mera lunch.'

With a mischievous smile, she answered, 'Toh tum apna lunch khatam kar lo. Kisne roka hai.'

She waited for what she already knew, 'Lunch ke baad ka meetha chahiye. Akele kaise kha sakta hun.'

The message was followed by a sad emoji. Her eyes shining, she started typing, 'Actually chaar din baad meri shaadi hai. Isliye maine socha meetha avoid karun. Aakhir shaadi mein achha lagna chahiye na... kahin moti ho gayi toh
Isliye aaj se maine meetha band kar diya hai.'

She could well imagine his bewildered expression, and then the twisting of lips in frustration.

'Nainaaaaaa.:

Even the message screamed in his sulking voice.

'Bye Mr Maheshwari. Aap bhi kaam kijiye aur mujhe bhi karne dijiye.' She typed with a smirk on her face.

Sameer pouted, looking at the chat window. He could have gone to her right away had nanu not asked him to come to his room in five minutes. It was only after his meeting did he manage to corner her when he went to her cabin on the pretext of giving the files that nanu had handed to him.

Naina was not left with any excuse when he locked the door. But she couldn't deny that such stolen moments were indeed exciting.

"Sameer, main aaj aadhe ghante pehle nikal jaungi. Market se Ayush ke school ke liye kuch saaman lena hai." She informed him before he was leaving her room.

"Main saath chalta hun." He proffered.

"Tum yahan ka kaam dekh lo. Yeh main akele kar sakti hun. Dono jaldi jayenge toh achha nahi lagega. Nanu bhi nahi hain aaj office mein." She advised.

Sameer agreed to her argument. Since they both would be on leave, there was quite a bit of work that needed to be completed.

When Sameer reached home, he found a few unknown people moving around the main gate and garden area. Looked like they were setting up something. He thought of asking nanu later who had left office after meeting today as he had to personally give invitation to some important people. Sameer went up to his room. He frowned at the unwelcoming emptiness.

"Isse achha main room mein rahunga hi nahi." He muttered to himself, coming out of the washroom after changing into comfortable clothes.

He first walked out to the terrace to put his towel on the stand. For a moment, he was shocked when he saw a person on the outer side of terrace grill.

"Kaun ho tum? Yahan kya kar rahe ho?" He asked in a harsh voice.

The person stopped what he was doing, scared of his rough tone, "Bade sahab ne lightein lagane ko bola hai bhaiya ji."

Sameer mellowed down, "Oh achha. Lekin abhi toh andhera hone wala hai. Din mein lagana. Kahin gir gaye toh."

"Nahi bhaiya ji seedhi laga ke kar rahe hain. Bade sahab ne aaj aur kal mein hi poori sajawat khatam karne ko bola hai. Isliye hamare maalik ne kaha aath baje tak kaam karna hai." The person explained.

Sameer nodded and instructed them to be careful before going down. He called out to Ramdhari to get his coffee. When there was no reply, he peeked into the kitchen. To his surprise, Naina was preparing coffee, in two mugs.

"Naina tum yahan? Ramdhari kahan hai?" He entered the kitchen.

She looked up at him, giving a smile before turning her attention back to coffee, "Mummy ke saath gaya hai. Kitchen stock up karna hai na, toh mummy ne kaha woh bhi saath jayengi groceries lene."

"Aur Deepika Ayush?" He asked, his hopes soaring.

"Ayush ke room mein hain dono. Movie dekh rahe hain. Abhi unhe juice aur nuggets deke aayi hun." She stirred the sugar in mugs.

Moving behind her, he placed his hands on the counter, on both her sides, "Matlab hamare liye achha mauka hai."

"Mauka toh hai, lekin coffee pine ka." She said, looking over her shoulder.

He rubbed his nose in her hair, "Aur thode romance ka bhi."

"Sameer. Koi aa jayega." Her shoulder hunched up.

He stepped ahead, pushing her against the counter, "Koi ghar pe hai hi nahi. I think sab log jaan ke humein akela chod ke gaye hain. Unhe pata hai room mein romance ka chance nahi hai isliye unhone poora ghar hi humein de diya."

She giggled, "Kyon nahi. Ghar mein sab hamara romance hi plan karte rehte hain saara din."

"Sabko zarurat nahi hai. Mere paas apne hi bohot plans hain. Bas woh log hamara yeh vanvaas khatam kar dein. Naina, I miss you yaar." He whined in a childish voice, resting his forehead on her shoulder.

She lifted her hand to pat his cheek, "Tumhe pata hai na shaadi tak aisa hi rahega. Toh humein saara time unn lamho ka dukh manane ki jagah jo humein nahi mil rahe, unhe enjoy karna chahiye jinmein hum saath hain, jaise abhi."

He lifted his head. She turned within the cage of his arms. He looked at her face, freshly washed and glowing.

He brushed the back of his hand over her smooth cheek, mesmerised, "Tum hamesha itni sundar kaise lagti ho?"

She smiled, looking into his eyes,

Yeh toh tumhari nazar hai
jisne chaand bana diya

warna aaina bata deta hai
surat e haal hamaara

Sameer traced a finger from her forehead down her nose to her lips to her chin,

Aaina paa jaye ek jhalak tumhari
yeh humein manzoor nahi

Aks apna meri nigahon mein dekho
keh na paoge khud pe garoor nahi

His eyes reflected her face, shining in contrast to the depth of darkness in them. His finger under her chin tilted her face up. They did not need words, not at this moment.

Their eyes remained locked with each other, till Naina was jolted back to realisation that they were in the kitchen when nanu's voice from outside reached her ears.

"Sameer, nanu aa gaye. Tum... tum bahar jao." She fumbled, pushing at his chest.

He stepped back, creating some distance between them, but did not leave the kitchen, "Aane do. Humein ek room mein rehna manaa hai, milne se thodi roka hai kisi ne. Kitchen mein ek saath coffee toh bana hi sakte hain."

Nanu's voice reverberated from the main hall, "Arre bhai Ramdhari, zara ek kadak chai pila de. Traffic ke chakkar mein itni der ho gayi."

Naina went to the door of the kitchen, "Nanu main bana deti hun. Ramdhari bhaiya mummy ke saath saamaan lene gaye hain."

Nanu gave her a wide smile, "Waah beta, tumhare haath ki chai pi ke saari thakaan udd jayegi." He glanced towards the stairs, "Sameer aaya ki nahi office se?"

"Main pandrah minute pehle hi aaya nanu." Sameer came out to stand beside Naina.

Nanu gave him an amused look, "Aur aate hi kitchen mein kya karne laga?"

"Woh main... Naina ko help kar raha tha, coffee banane mein." He said confidently. Coffee was one thing he could make now.

Nanu threw his head back and laughed, "Isse badhiya joke maine subah se nahi suna."

Naina instantly remarked in Sameer's defense, "Sameer ko sach mein coffee banani aati hai nanu. Unhone mujhe pilayi thi."

"Achaa? Kab seekhi?" Nanu was still not ready to believe.

Sameer smiled sheepishly, "Maine Ramdhari se seekhi thi... Naina ke liye."

Naina lowered her head while nanu chuckled, "Chai bhi seekh leta toh mujhe bhi tere haath ki chai pine ko mil jaati."

"Abhi seekh leta hun, Naina se." Sameer beamed.

Nanu waved at him, looking at Naina, "Chalo bhai, sikhao iss buddhu ko chai banana. Main zara fresh hoke aata hun."

Back in the kitchen after nanu left for his room, Sameer grinned, "Dekha, main kitna smart hun. Ab nanu ne khud hi kitchen mein rehne ki permission de di, tumhare saath."

She swatted his arm as he tried to wrap it around her waist, "Chai banani seekhni hai na... toh door khade hoke seekho. Warna nanu se shikayat kar dungi."

He gave her a look of fake anger, "Chai banana hi seekh raha hun. Main koi mara nahi jaa raha tumhe hug ya kiss karne ke liye. Shikayat ki dhamki mat do. Main darta warta nahi hun."

"Good." She placed the pan on stove, keeping a straight face with difficulty, "Aao training shuru karein."

Within seconds, he was again trying to steal a hug, a peck, a touch... anything except learning the process of making tea.

Vishakha and Ramdhari were back shortly. They all sat together, discussing about the arrangements for the impending functions.

After dinner, the time Sameer dreaded was here finally. He was once again in the room, without Naina.

"Isse achha hai kal ki meeting ke points ready kar leta hun. Kaam karne se shayad yeh khamoshi chubhegi nahi." Rubbing his forehead in frustration, he pulled out the chair and settled on the study table with his laptop.

When he checked the time next, it was close to midnight. He snapped the laptop shut and leaned back in the chair. There was no trace of sleep. With a sigh, he got up and went out to the terrace. Night sky glittered with stars, the moon, even when it was half, seemed to be happy surrounded by numerous twinkling companions.

"Tum aadhe ho kar bhi khush kaise reh sakte ho?" He pondered, looking at it sadly.

Shaking his head at the silence that greeted him, he shifted his gaze to the garden below. The moon only made him miss Naina more. Placing his hands on the metal grill, he leaned to see the strings of wires, with small bulbs attached to them. Presently they were switched off but he could imagine how the lights would look when whole area was covered with them two days later. A smile made its way on his face. Though he had never given much thought to how things should be when he got married, these luminescent manifestations filled his heart with elation. Just like the sky above, his surroundings would be celebrating too, sparkling with the brilliance of these tiny bulbs which would turn the dark night into a shimmering one.

He leaned more to check other terraces. Only one came to his line of view, and since there was no light reflecting from inside because that room was unused, he couldn't see clearly if such strings were placed there as well. He decided to ask the workers next day to cover every wall, every grill, every surface outside with lights, especially outside Naina's room. He wondered what she would feel seeing the arrangements... would they fill her with similar exultation... or would she...

His eyes clouded with doubts. They had never discussed what picture she had in mind regarding their wedding. He had no idea what would please Naina. She might have some dreams, some notion about the ceremonies... any fantasy about how her wedding would be. If not before, maybe after falling in love with him... she would have definitely had some visions at least after their marriage date was fixed. He gritted his teeth at his foolishness... why it never occurred to him earlier that they should talk about it. Without further delay, he fished out the phone from his pocket.

Before he could dial, his eyes fell on the tall wooden ladder placed against the side of his terrace, the same one used by workers for reaching his balcony. He chewed his lip, narrowing his eyes.

Naina too had been working on the presentation for next day's meeting. Also, she wanted to finish all reports before taking leave. Though it didn't make much difference because she had to send them to nanu only but she always liked to be meticulous about her work. In between, she shut her eyes to give them some rest, and turned her face to either side to ease the pain in her neck. A gasp escaped her as she saw Sameer sitting on the bed, his legs crossed at the ankles, arms against his chest, a crooked smile on his lips.

"Tum yahan kaise aaye?" She rushed to him, but before she could touch him, he vanished.

She bit her lip, taking in a long breath, "You seemed so real."

It was another fifteen minutes later that she again glanced at the bed tentatively. He wasn't there. But when her gaze moved to the other side of the room, he stood next to the mirror. The moment their eyes met, he winked. She clasped a hand over her mouth. He winked means he was real. She pushed back the chair, reaching him in two long strides. He stood with the same naughty grin when she lifted her hand to touch him. All she felt was plain air, the image disappearing in a flash. She pressed her fingers on her temples, trying to rid her mind of such lunacy.

"Naina, kaam pe dhyan de." Forcing her attention back to laptop, she started working again.

A sound made her look up after another few minutes. He grinned from across the glass door. She rolled her eyes and went back to typing. The door slid in the panel, and he stepped in, making her lift her head again.

She gave him a weary look, "Tum kyon mujhe pagal kar rahe ho, Sameer. Shaadi mein dulhan ki jagah ek pagal ladki ko dekh ke sab kya kahenge."

He was shocked at her reaction. She was neither surprised, nor happy to see him.

Letting out a swoosh of air, she left him standing two feet from her and went inside the washroom, closing the door. He stood gaping in the direction, unable to fathom why she ignored him in such blatant manner.

Naina came out a few minutes later, patting her damp face with a towel in hand.

"Naina." He called out.

Her eyes shot to him, and the same exasperated look crossed her face as she groaned, "Stop it. Pehle kam mushkil hai kya tumhare bina rehna jo baar baar aise aake sataa rahe ho."

"Lekin main toh pehli baar aaya hun." Sameer replied guilelessly.

Her mouth fell open as the towel slipped from Naina's hand. Sameer closed the door behind him quickly and walked to her. She gulped, staring at him. Hesitantly she raised a hand, and touched his chest with a finger. He was confused.

"Tum... tum sach mein ho?" She whispered.

It dawned on him now. She was taking him to be a figment of her imagination. Leaning, he blew gently over her face, linking his fingers with hers. She closed her eyes. The musky fragrance that surrounded her wasn't an illusion, his warm breath over her face could not be unreal, the fuzzy feeling that spread over her when his long fingers pressed her hand was definitely not her hallucination.

"Sameer." Her eyes flew open.

"Hi." He circled her waist, pulling her against him.

She simpered in contentedness, "Main tumhe bohot miss kar rahi thi."

He was overjoyed by her welcome, "Dekha maine. Isiliye mujh dekh ke ignore kar diya tumne."

"Tum isse pehle bhi do baar aaye the. Maine jaise hi tumhe chune ki koshish kari tum gayab ho gaye. Mujhe laga iss baar bhi..." The corners of her lips drooped.

He brought their linked hands to his lips and placed a kiss on the back of her palm, "Ab chu lo, jitna chaho. Main gayab nahi hounga."

Her hand that was resting on his chest went up to his jaw. The darkness of his skin pricked her fingers, making her shudder. Lifting her heels, she pressed her cheek against his, tempted to feel the same on her face as well. Taking advantage of the position, Sameer dipped his head to place his lips on the juncture of her neck and shoulder.

With a gasp, Naina stiffened. The bubble of ecstasy at seeing him finally burst. She stepped back with a jerk, pushing him, "Tumne promise kiya tha mummy ko. Sameer, tumhe yahan nahi aana chahiye tha. Hum mummy aur nanu ko dhoka nahi de sakte. Tum please jao."

She turned her back to him.

"Naina, kisi ko dhoka nahi de rahe hum. Yaad karo mummy ne kya promise liya tha... ki shaadi tak tum hamare room mein nahi aa sakti. Main yahan nahi aa sakta aisa toh koi promise nahi maanga tha unhone." Sameer stated.

Processing what he was saying, Naina realised he was right. She turned to face him, but her mind was still feeling a vague discomfort, "Unka matlab toh yehi tha na ki hum na mile. Yeh sab theek nahi hai Sameer. Kisi ko pata chala toh?"

He smiled, "Kisi bhi deal mein agar loophole ho toh uska faayda kaise uthana hai yeh ek perfect businessman jaanta hai. Galti mummy ki hai, unhone specify nahi kiya. Tum aur main na koi promise tod rahe hain na unhe dhoka de rahe hain."

She quirked up a brow, "Deal? Shaadi deal hai?"

He shook his head, "Yeh condition ek deal hai. Shaadi toh mera woh sapna hai jo ek baar poora ho chuka hai aur ab dubara poora hone jaa raha hai."

She smiled at the way he twisted words to make it sound so beautiful.

"Sach Naina, main shayad duniya ka ek hi insaan hun jiska itna khoobsurat sapna ek baar nahi do do baar sach hoga." He beamed with excitement.

"Shshsh." She placed a hand on his mouth, casting a fearful look to the door, "Dheere bolo. Kisi ne sunn liya toh aafat aa jayegi."

He crushed her in his arms, whispering in a thrilled voice, "Aise chhup chhup ke milne ka mazaa alag hi hai. Aaj mujhe woh raat yaad aa gayi jab main December mein Bhalla aunty ke backyard se tumhari balcony mein pipe chadh ke aaya tha."

Her eyes widened at the memory, "Aaj bhi pipe se aaye ho? Gir jaate toh?"

He chuckled, speaking against her ear, "Dekhogi kaise aaya hun?"

When she hummed, he held her hand and excitedly took her out, to show the wooden ladder that he had used to first climb down his balcony, then dragged it here to reach her terrace easily.

Naina hugged him tight, "Uff Sameer, itna sab karne ke liye..." He waited for her reprimand, but what he got was a kiss on his heart, "...thank you."

"Andar chalein? Waise toh koi nahi aayega lekin jo tumne diya uska return dene ke liye andar jaana better hai." He said cheekily.

"Ab yeh koi deal nahi hai jo tumhe return dena hai." She kept a straight face, turning away from him as she walked in, not before he noticed her flushed cheeks though.

After closing the glass doors and securing the curtain, he crossed his arms, giving her an intent look, "Waise maine expect kiya tha tum meri shirt mein milogi."

And her cheeks burned more. Putting away the laptop, she shrugged, "Main kal ke liye reports bana rahi thi. Ab tak tumhe yaad karne ka time nahi mila."

"Achha?" He quirked up a brow, "Abhi do minute pehle hi tumne kaha tum mujhe bohot miss kar rahi thi."

She bit her lip, but didn't look at him. Sameer closed the distance between them, holding her arm to make her face him, "Tumse kuch puchna hai. Promise karo sach sach bataogi."

She gave him a questioning look, "Aisa kya hai Sameer ki tumhe promise ki zarurat hai? Of course sach bolungi. Abhi jo maine kaha... ki maine tumhe yaad nahi kiya... woh sirf tumhe tease kar rahi thi. Tumhara khyal na aaye isliye kaam karne baithi thi lekin tum toh khuli aankhon mein bhi sapna banke aa jaate ho." She placed her hands on his chest, smiling, "Aur phir woh sapna sach bhi kar dete ho."

He put his palms over her hands on his chest, "Main tumhara har sapna sach karna chahta hun Naina. Mujhe pata hai tumne kabhi shaadi ke baare mein nahi socha tha... lekin ab, jab hamari shaadi saare rituals ke saath ho rahi hai... tum batao tumhare kya wishes hain. Kuch aisa jo tum chahti ho, kuch bhi... mujhe janna hai."

She inhaled deeply, "Apna pyaar de ke, mujhse shaadi karke, apni family mein shaamil karke... aur Ayush ko hamara beta bana ke tumne mujhe sab kuch de diya. Ab kuch bacha hi nahi maangne ko."

He placed a kiss on her forehead, "Yeh sab toh tumne bhi mujhe diya hai. Aaj jab maine bahar lights ki decoration dekhi toh laga ki haan, main yeh sab chahta hun... jisse sabko pata chale meri zindagi mein kitni khushiyaan aayi hain tumhare aane se. Aise hi tum bhi socho, kya achha lagega tumhe... jiski wajah se hamari shaadi ki yaadein aur bhi khoobsurat ho jayein."

When he saw her squinting her eyes in deep thought, he pinched her nose, "Tum aaram se soch lena. Lekin baad mein. Abhi mera time hai." He threaded his hand in her open hair, "Aur tumhe pata hai, main tumhe share nahi kar sakta... thoughts se bhi nahi."

"Buddhu." She wrapped her arms around his neck, happily giving in to the kiss he was craving for.

"Ab tum jao Sameer. Agar kisi ko pata chala toh bohot embarassing hoga." She looked at the clock few minutes later.

"Uh huh. Main subah jaunga. Tum apna door lock kar lo. Kisi ko pata chal hi nahi sakta." He adamantly held her close.

"Mera door band hi hai. Lekin tumhare room mein koi aaya toh... ya phir tum bhi lock karke aaye ho?" She asked.

And Sameer realised he hadn't latched the door of his room. If, by any chance, someone wanted to talk to him, they could enter his room easily.

"Oh no Naina. Maine socha hi nahi. Main toh aise hi terrace pe aaya tha aur phir yeh seedhi dikh gayi..." He trailed off, upset about his mistake that could mean a risk... but he was ready to take it.

Naina cupped his face with one hand, "Yeh kuch pal jo humne apne liye chura liye, inke baare mein soch ke aaj ki raat kat jayegi. Agar mummy ko pata chal gaya toh woh ek aur promise le lengi tumse... ki tum bhi mere room mein nahi aaoge."

What she was saying was true. With a heavy heart, Sameer swung over the grill and went down the ladder. She watched till he turned towards his terrace, after waving at her one last time.

Next update on Thursday